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To learn more about Herxheimer reactions see https://igenex.com/tick-talk/what-is-a-herxheimer-reaction/
What is a Herxheimer reaction?
The Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction was first identified by two dermatologists, Adolf Jarisch and Karl Herxheimer, while studying syphilis. It’s often colloquially referred to as simply a Herxheimer reaction, or a “Herx.”
Tick-borne disease treatment typically includes the use of antibiotic treatments to kill microbes. When antibiotic treatments kill bacteria, those bacteria can release toxins. A Herxheimer reaction occurs when someone has an adverse reaction to these toxins. This reaction usually starts within two hours of starting antibiotic treatment.
Symptoms of a Herxheimer reaction
What does a Herxheimer reaction do to you? Here are some of the symptoms:
- Flu-like symptoms
- Fever and chills
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Hyperventilation
- Tachycardia (a heart rate over 100 beats a minute)
- Flushing
- Myalgia
- Worsening of skin lesions
Some Lyme disease symptoms are similar to those of a Herx, making it difficult to distinguish between them and causing many cases to be underreported. It also can be concerning when you’re already receiving treatment and then experience what appear to be worsening symptoms.
What causes a Herx?
It is understood that a Herx is caused by the toxins from bacteria that are killed off during treatment, but why does this happen?
Researchers and medical providers still don’t fully understand the Herxheimer reaction, but they have a theory. Bacteria dying off and releasing toxins can cause the body to have an inflammatory response.
During this immune reaction, cytokines and lipoproteins enter the bloodstream. Cytokines are proteins that help control inflammation in the body.
What can be confusing is that a Herx is when the immune system creates a reaction to the toxins, not to the microbe that caused the infection in the first place. Another misconception is that this is an allergic reaction to antibiotics, which is also false.
